Ray Wilson

Biography

Raymond Wilson (born 8 September 1968) is a Scottish singer and guitarist, vocalist in the post-grunge band Stiltskin and in Genesis from 1996 to approximately 1999.

Early career and Guaranteed Pure

Before starting a band called Guaranteed Pure in the 1990s, which featured himself along with Paul Holmes (keyboards), Steve Wilson (guitars), John Haimes (bass) and Chris Cavanagh (drums)., he joined Edinburgh Band Strategy in 1987 recording and independently releasing a demo titled Second Move. Guaranteed Pure released an album called Swing Your Bag, the title track of which was included on a compilation album on the label of Fish entitled The Funny Farm Project : Outpatients '93.

Stiltskin

Wilson’s breakthrough came in 1994 when he became lead vocalist for the post‑grunge band Stiltskin. Their debut single "Inside" topped charts across Europe, including Germany, driven by its use in a Levi’s commercial.
In the UK and Germany, "Inside" was a defining hit where rock radio and MTV propelled Stiltskin into the spotlight almost overnight.
The album The Mind's Eye received critical acclaim as a brilliant and highly underrated record with Wilson's vocals being described as "terrific" and "flawless".

Genesis

Wilson joined Genesis as the band's lead singer after Phil Collins officially announced his departure in March 1996. Genesis founder members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford were handed a CD of the Stiltskin album The Mind's Eye from Virgin Records executives. They were impressed with Wilson's vocal abilities and had their manager, Tony Smith, contact him for an audition.
Other singers who auditioned included Nick Van Eede (Cutting Crew), Francis Dunnery (It Bites), Kevin Gilbert (Toy Matinee, Sheryl Crow), and David Longdon (subsequently of Big Big Train)
After extensive sessions in late 1996, Wilson was announced as the new lead singer of Genesis in June 1997.
Their only album with Wilson, ...Calling All Stations..., was released that September and became a top 10 worldwide hit. The album was re-issued in 2007.
Wilson's vocals brought a darker, smoother, and more atmospheric style than the Collins-era.

In May 2001, during an interview with Dave Negrin for website WorldofGenesis.com, Wilson said: They basically phoned me up and said, "Ray, we're not continuing." I've never really felt that I was out of the band as such; it's just that the band doesn't exist any more (laughs). When I heard that, it was just after the Cut tour, about a year and a half ago. I've read some articles saying that I was fired and stuff, but to be fair to them, they didn't phone me up and say, "Ray, you're fired. We're going to carry on and we're going to get somebody else to sing." Or, "We're going to carry on and get Phil back." There was never any of that. They just said, "We've decided not to continue because the market doesn't want us." I think they didn't want to completely close the door to ever doing anything again.
In a 2007 interview with Anil Prasad for Innerviews, Mike Rutherford said:

"I think had we done three albums with Ray, the first one would have been viewed as a start, but not a great one.
Ray did a fantastic job and he often doesn’t get enough credit. He was great live and it was a very hard gig.

However, I just didn’t want to have to keep making albums and touring solidly for the next three or four years."

Solo career

In 1999, Wilson released the album Millionairhead with a solo project called Cut_. It was remastered in 2007 with three additional songs added.
Wilson began what has become a very successful solo career in 2003, when he released his first solo album Change×Change9 April 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Intro0:272Goodbye Baby Blue3:583Change4:094Along the Way3:405Yesterday3:326Beach3:287Cry If You Want To3:278Beautiful Child2:579She Fades Away3:3410I Look for You There0:5611Believe3:0312Another Day3:5013The Last Horizon4:11.
In 2004, he released another studio album entitled The Next Best Thing×The Next Best Thing28 June 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1These Are the Changes3:372Inside4:023How High3:334The Fool in Me3:245Adolescent Breakdown2:556Sometimes3:287Alone4:158Magic Train3:329The Actor4:3910Ever the Reason4:1011Pumpkinhead4:0612The Next Best Thing3:58, which included a new version of the Stiltskin hit "Inside".
In 2006, he revived Stiltskin releasing the album She, followed in 2007 by a Stiltskin live CD recorded 25 October 2006, at Harmonie, Bonn, Germany.
DJ and trance producer Armin van Buuren has produced remixes of the songs "Another Day" (retitled "Yet Another Day") and "Gypsy" from Millionairhead. Both remixes have been respectively released on van Buuren's own albums 76 and Shivers, and "Yet Another Day" was also released as a single.
In 2014, the first Ray Wilson biography, Gypsy, by journalist Mario Giammetti, was published in Italy (Edizioni Segno).
In June 2016, his new solo album Song for a Friend×Song for a FriendFebruary 2016 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Old Book on the Shelf4:372Over My Dead Body4:293Cold Light of Day3:574Song for a Friend4:275How Long is Too Long4:296Not Long Till Springtime4:217Backseat Driving3:388Parallel Souls3:279Tried and Failed3:4310High Hopes6:11 was released, which included ten unreleased acoustic tracks with a cover of Pink Floyd's "High Hopes." The original idea for the album title was Backseat Drivers. It was to be a double album. Wilson wanted to have one CD with acoustic music and a second CD with electric music. He then decided to split the two. In an interview he explained the decision was taken because the acoustic version of Song for a Friend would not have got the attention it deserves. The second disc (the electric and rockier collection of new songs) was later released in September of the same year as a stand-alone new album called Makes Me Think of Home×Makes Me Think of Home7 October 2016 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1They Never Should Have Sent You Roses6:102The Next Life3:413Tennessee Mountains4:184Worship the Sun5:025Makes Me Think of Home7:566Amen to That4:287Anyone Out There4:018Don't Wait for Me3:419Calvin and Hobbes4:0310The Spirit3:43.
On 7 and 8 September 2018, Wilson gave two exclusive concerts in Poznań at Zamek Culture Centre to celebrate his 50th birthday. Those two special nights titled "50th Celebration Birthday Concerts" saw Wilson performing only Genesis (and band members) material during the first night, while his solo material from his various projects (solo, Stiltskin and Cut_) on the second date. This was the first time he played a full concert without any Genesis songs since his tenure with the band.

Concerts with Steve Hackett

In 2013, Wilson joined Steve Hackett for the latter's Genesis Revisited II Tour as a guest singer at three shows of the tour. He was featured in a special edition of the Genesis Revisited II album on the track "Carpet Crawlers". It was the first time since 1998 that Wilson had worked with a fellow Genesis member, albeit one he had not performed with as a member of the band. In October 2024, Wilson performed "Carpet Crawlers" live with Steve Hackett at the Royal Albert Hall in London at Steve Hackett's final show of the UK leg of his world tour.

Solo releases

Studio albums
Change (2003) – No. 88 Germany
The Next Best Thing (2004)
Propaganda Man (2008)
Chasing Rainbows (2013) – No. 57 Germany
Song for a Friend (2016)
Makes Me Think of Home (2016) – No. 88 Germany
The Weight of Man (2021)
Live albums
Live and Acoustic (2001) (originally titled Unplugged)
Ray Wilson Live (2005)
An Audience and Ray Wilson (2006) (limited edition CD and download)
Ray Wilson and the Berlin Symphony Ensemble, Genesis Klassik Live in Berlin (2009)
Ray Wilson and the Berlin Symphony Ensemble, Genesis Classic Live in Poznan (2011)
Genesis VS Stiltskin - 20 Years and More (2014) – No. 21 Germany
Up Close and Personal - Live at SWR1 (2014)
Time and Distance (2017)
ZDF@BAUHAUS May 20, 2018 (2018)
Greatest Hits
Upon My Life (2019)
Singles
"Yet Another Day" (with Armin van Buuren) (October 2002) – No. 70 United Kingdom
"Change×Change9 April 2003 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Intro0:272Goodbye Baby Blue3:583Change4:094Along the Way3:405Yesterday3:326Beach3:287Cry If You Want To3:278Beautiful Child2:579She Fades Away3:3410I Look for You There0:5611Believe3:0312Another Day3:5013The Last Horizon4:11" (March 2003)
"Goodbye Baby Blue×Goodbye Baby Blue26 August 2003 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Goodbye Baby Blue (single edit)3:282Goodbye Baby Blue (album version)3:573Change (live acoustic version)3:524Ripples (live acoustic version)4:015Believe (live acoustic version)3:04" (September 2003)
"These Are the Changes×These Are the Changes19 July 2004 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1These Are the Changes (Benztown Mixdown)3:352These Are the Changes (album edit)3:213Gouranga (live)5:05" (June 2004)

Stiltskin

Studio albums
The Mind's Eye (1994) – No. 12 UK, No. 11 Germany, No. 10 Austria, No. 76 Netherlands, No. 13 Sweden, No. 13 Switzerland,
She (2006)
Unfulfillment (2011)
Live albums
Stiltskin Live (2007)
Singles
"Inside" (1994) – No. 1 UK, No. 5 Germany, No. 2 Austria, No. 9 France, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 5 Norway, No. 4 Sweden, No. 5 Switzerland, No. 40 Australia, No. 20 New Zealand
"Footsteps" (1994) – No. 34 UK, No. 34 Switzerland, No. 36 New Zealand
"Rest in Peace" (1995) – No. 47 UK
"She" (2006)
"Lemon Yellow Sun×Lemon Yellow Sun9 October 2006 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Lemon Yellow Sun (radio edit)4:002Lemon Yellow Sun (Lite radio edit)3:583Lemon Yellow Sun (album version)4:054Keep On Believing6:42" (2006)
"First Day Of Change×First Day of Change2011 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1First Day Of Change (Radio Edit)3:432First Day Of Change (Album Version)5:273First Day Of Change (Midnight Mix)5:354Calling All Stations6:47" (2011, Promo)

Genesis

Studio albums
Calling All Stations (1997) – No. 2 UK, No. 54 US
Singles
"Congo" (September 1997) – No. 29 UK, No. 35 Austria, No. 31 Germany, No. 32 Switzerland, No. 25 US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks
"Shipwrecked" (December 1997) – No. 54 UK, No. 82 Germany
"Not About Us" (March 1998) – No. 66 UK, No. 81 Germany

Cut_

Studio albums
Millionairhead (1999)
Singles
"Another Day" (1999; Germany-only single)
"Sarah" (1999)
"Millionairhead" / "Sarah" (1999; radio promo)

Collaborations

2000 "Big City Nights" (with Scorpions) (Moment of Glory)
2002 "Love Supreme" Turntablerocker (Smile)
2003 "Good Time Love" (with Amanda Lyon) (A tribute to Frank Miller: various artists album)
2003 "Yet Another Day" (with Armin Van Buuren) (76) – No. 70 UK, No. 34 Netherlands
2005 "Gypsy" (with Armin Van Buuren) (Shivers)
2005 "Roses×Roses9 May 2005 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Roses (edit)3:532Sleep (edit)4:5033 Lights (edit)6:564Roses6:35" (with RPWL) (World Through My Eyes)
2005 "Roses (live)" & "Not about us (live)"(with RPWL) (Start the Fire: RPWL Live)
2009 "Show Me The Way" (with DJ Cosmo)
2010 "Should I Wait" (with Twentyeight) (In the Beginning)
2013 "Carpet Crawlers" (with Steve Hackett) (Genesis Revisited II: Selection)
2015 "Walking in Memphis×Walking in Memphis4 September 2015 · Single · DJ-mixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Walking in Memphis (original mix)5:412Walking in Memphis (Tune Brothers Future mix)6:243Walking in Memphis (Ravni remix)5:574Walking in Memphis (Andy Rojas & Rio Dela Duna remix)8:15" (with Tune Brothers)
2015 "Here Comes the Rain Again×Here Comes the Rain Again24 April 2015 · Single · DJ-mixSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Here Comes The Rain Again (Original Mix)6:472Here Comes The Rain Again (Club Mix)6:093Here Comes The Rain Again (Instrumental Mix)6:47" (with Tune Brothers)
2015 "Easy Way Out" (with The Veterans)
2015 "Taking the Easy Way Out" (with The Veterans) (HOUSESESSION IBIZA IMS 2015 SAMPLER)
2017 "Bezustannie×Bezustannie2017 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Bezustannie5:06" (with Patrycja Markowska) (Krótka Płyta O Miłości)

Personal life

Wilson is the cousin of Ian Wilson, better known as Ian Catskilkin, of the UK indie band, Art Brut.
Ray met his future wife Tyla Holmes in 2000. Holmes is the sister of Paul Holmes, the keyboard player in Wilson's then-band Guaranteed Pure. They started dating, and married in 2002. She began working as his assistant, and then tour manager. They separated at the end of 2006 but remained good friends, with Holmes keeping her managerial role even after the ending of their relationship. She later left the music industry and concentrated on a career as a personal trainer in Australia.
In 2007, after a concert in Poland, Wilson met the dancer Małgorzata Mielech, also known as Gosia. After a few months of dating, he left Edinburgh and moved to Poznań in September 2008. To celebrate their lasting love, in 2016 Ray wrote a song for Gosia entitled "Not Long 'Til Springtime": she appeared as main actor in the official video of the song. As of 2018, the couple were engaged. Despite Wilson being reluctant to show and talk about his personal life, he and Gosia gave a major interview with an exclusive photoshoot showing the duo together for the famous Polish magazine "Pani" in August 2018. He married singer and songwriter Marika Jasek in October 2024 during a private ceremony.